Hey. From reading around here I gather you need some more serious qualifications than what I currently possess. I am wondering what type of job (if any) I can get with my qualifications (which are not dazzling by any means), and what I can do in the next year and a bit which would make me a more employable candidate in Oman.

Currently I have 3 full time teaching years of experience in Canada teaching French Immersion and Technology Education, I will have a year's teaching experience in Korea by the time I want to go to Oman. I majored in French, did a minor in English, and graduated from Education on the Dean's list.

My fiance has only her internship, some substitute teaching, and will have the same year in Korea as I did.

I see a lot of talk here about having your MA before being able to get a job in Oman. Does this only apply to University positions? Are we employable in Oman, or should we stop dreaming?

You will need more than a year of teaching in Korea for sure. I can't say all college employers are looking for MAs , but you will need at least a BA in English and some strong experience teaching English. You don't seem to have this and I think this will be a problem for you. You could try doing a CELTA or TESOL while in Korea. This would be step in the right direction. It would be interesting to see what others think.

BTW... are you aware that it is illegal for an unmarried couple to live together in the Middle East? You would need to be hired separately and be VERY VERY discreet.

To be honest, at this point both of you will have a difficult time getting hired as you have neither the right academic credentials or experience. (especially your fiance) I would stay in Asia for a few more years to help cure that... and perhaps marry before you move to the Middle East to simplify things.

BTW... are you aware that it is illegal for an unmarried couple to live together in the Middle East? You would need to be hired separately and be VERY VERY discreet.

To be honest, at this point both of you will have a difficult time getting hired as you have neither the right academic credentials or experience. (especially your fiance) I would stay in Asia for a few more years to help cure that... and perhaps marry before you move to the Middle East to simplify things.

VS

Thanks for the response. We are aware of having to get married before we go, that's no big deal.

Looks like September 2013 is out! I'll start researching on getting the other qualifications you mentioned, might have more questions once I do that.

Yes, the CELTA (specifically the Cambridge/RSA CELTA) is the most widely recognized around the world. Definitely worth having. I learned so much from doing it years and years ago.

The Trinity College London Cert TESOL is also widely recognized, though. I've employed people who had it and they were just as good.

'TESOL', though, is part of the title of all sorts of short courses, including mickey mouse 'online only' or 20-hour ones that include no teaching practice.

If you want a certificate that is going to open doors, then do a 120-hour course that includes a minimum of 6 hours teaching practice and is internationally recognised. Two that meet these criteria are the ones above.

Of course, these are just starter courses, though, and the kind of employers who are wonderful to work for also like DELTA or equivalent and/or MA TESOL

I must admit though, I have just heard a rumour that even with an MA in TESOL, if your initial degree is not English based, you will not be accepted in the future. How good that info is, I can't say.

I hope that rumour doesn't come to fruition.....

How related does a degree/Masters need to be? I saw an advert for U of Nizwa that listed "Social Sciences" as acceptable. I have a Masters in Human Resource Management (my career in my previous life), which did incorporate Training & Development - would that be a bit of a stretch in the opinions of those in the know?

Must take the time to thank all those long-time posters for giving advice - I've been lurking for a VERY long time but finally got around to signing up. I'm hoping to find myself a job in Oman starting September 2013, & may be calling upon your services at some point!

I must admit though, I have just heard a rumour that even with an MA in TESOL, if your initial degree is not English based, you will not be accepted in the future. How good that info is, I can't say.

I hope that rumour doesn't come to fruition.....

How related does a degree/Masters need to be? I saw an advert for U of Nizwa that listed "Social Sciences" as acceptable. I have a Masters in Human Resource Management (my career in my previous life), which did incorporate Training & Development - would that be a bit of a stretch in the opinions of those in the know?

Must take the time to thank all those long-time posters for giving advice - I've been lurking for a VERY long time but finally got around to signing up. I'm hoping to find myself a job in Oman starting September 2013, & may be calling upon your services at some point!

What is your Bachelors degree? Your HR qualifications could certainly be useful over here, but it now comes under the heading of 'reserved for Omani graduates' as I understand it. So, to re-affirm: English based degree, teaching qual and minimum 2 years teaching at HS level, will get employers here interested.

My Bachelors degree is in Business & Computing. I graduated 20 years ago (shocking statistic!!) without the slightest notion of becoming a teacher. I worked in the HR field for several years before deciding it wasn't what I wanted to do.

I have embarked on a Pg Cert in Teaching English for Academic Purposes, which will form a third of MA TESOL. So I'm hoping that will go in my favour, along with several years experience teaching adults. One thing I know for sure, I'm NOT doing another bachelors degree.

So... Turbster, in all honesty, if some one has an unrelated degree but has a teaching certificate and several years experience, what would the chances be in landing a job in Oman? 50-50? Does it come down to the individual school and which applicant they like and then try to convince the ministry to accept them?

I'm just wondering with all the jobs on offer in Oman, how many applicants actually have a related degree when they apply. Do all the schools fill the positions with people that have a related degree?